I used to think Murphy’s law was just a big ol’ heap of negativity—until last week when everything that could go wrong went wrong with gusto. Last Thursday was the very worst day ever— worse than Alexander’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Why, you might ask?

One of the crews didn’t show up according to schedule. The appliances dropped—wrong vent hood delivered. The faucet arrived and it was all wrong. I ordered another faucet. Wrong again. Drove home to pick up the UPS delivery and bring it back to Bradford. Got there and realized I locked myself out of the house. Picked up the delivery from UPS and it was wrong, too. It was just one of those days and we’ve had very few of those days on this project so I guess we were due a double portion. Received. I’ll pass on the seconds. Thankfully, everyone involved rolled with the punches. And nobody turned on anybody… because that’s what happens when things get super stressful, people start turning on each other and before you know it you’re in a kill or be killed situation. Thankfully, everyone remained calm. Direct yet calm. I can handle that.

Clearly, the past few days have been the most stressful days of the project. And stress takes its toll.

A) It makes me feel (and act) crazy and overwhelmed and sensitive. I cry and I run red lights. True story. Very true story.

B) It makes me ask myself what’s really important about this house?

What’s important has little to do with the actual house and everything to do with the people who walk in and out of its doors. Even more, what’s important is to acknowledge that this house is a gift from God. When I started looking for a house this is not what I was looking for. This is a better than what I could have imagined. My job is, quite simply, to be the steward of this house—to use it for good and not harm, to make it a home for a lot of people, to be a really good neighbor.

All the hustle and bustle of the final week has me thinking about the Scripture we wrote on the door frames of the house. Underneath gray walls and pretty trim are verses—verses that people shared with me, verses that seemed appropriate to me, verses that capture the spirit of this house and the process of building it.

Hosea 6:3 says, Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” That verse is the banner over this house and the experience of building it.

These are several verses throughout the house. Here are a few of that are written on the door frames:

I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will give blessings to them and multiply them and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. Ezekiel 37:26 (Amplified Bible)

The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us… He will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great. May the Lord give increase more and more… we will bless the LORD  From this time forth and forever. Psalm 115: 12-18

Every good giving, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom is no variation, or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (YLT)

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Maybe that’s a little drastic.

It’s time. It’s time to settle on the paint color. It’s time for the master sink to be delivered. It’s time for me to get that white cabinet I bought out of my neighbor’s living room and into my bathroom.  It’s time for the mail slot to be cut into the front door. It’s time for me to get the house numbers on the house so metro can come and deem this place livable.  It’s time for people to stop dumping crap in the dumpsters I’m paying for. Please see the empty threat left for the unlawful. We’re into intimidation. What can I say? I thought it was a brilliant move on the Good Contractor’s part. It’s time. I’ve gotta move before we have to resort to new intimidation tactics.

Here’s a confession about building this house: It has challenged me. Greatly. By nature, I’m spontaneous and not so decisive. Yet I have made more decisions in the past six months than I have in the eight years I’ve lived in this town. I equate this with being a right-handed person who is being asked to write with her left hand. It doesn’t come naturally. I can be decisive it’s just that I don’t want a schedule for being decisive. Like I said, this has challenged me, stretched me, whatever–it’s been good for me.  And likely challenging for everyone else. It’s been rewarding, too. Very rewarding.

So. Get this. The walls… they need to be painted. Shocker. But I am absolutely stuck about the shade of gray for the living room. I know, I’m just full of shocking statements this morning.

Please. Look at this. It’s a color swatch nightmare. (The dark paint is from a video shoot that I did for work. It’s not in the running. Ignore it.)

I am all over the place. But I am going to decide this weekend. Maybe today.

So, on Monday, when you read this blog. I hope that you find a post explaining how I came to my senses and finally found the “right” gray.

Old factory windows—they aren’t always easy to come by. And they are heavy so shipping = bad idea.  I wanted something local or something from a cotton gin or grainary. Because I grew up on a farm and I am so idealistic to think that I would find a cotton gin near downtown Nashville. I asked around. Brent, of Woodstock Vintage Lumber, suggested we sneak over to the old Werthan Factory and see what we could find. So, I met Brent, loaded up in his pick-up truck and thought, if we get caught I’m going to let him do all the talking while I sneak to the truck.

Inside the old factory, I snapped these right before Brent had to do all the talking—window spotted in the rubble!

Window acquired. Next step: drop off at welder’s shop where six-pane window transforms into four-pane window.

Next, retrieve welded window and chip away at all the old putty and caulk that once held things in place. Thanks, Nat. Thanks Z. I will help you chisel a window some time because that’s what friends are for.

Next, stop by window/glass joint to get panes replaced. Then check sign outside and be sure this is right. Yep. Right place. Text the Good Contractor: “Have you been to this place before?” and document this because that’s the other thing friends are for–when you spot a “liger” you show your friends.

Twenty four hours and $60 later, I picked a terrific new/old window. And my house is better for it.

It sits securely in the wall between my bedroom and bathroom—those panes are a definite gain.

Thanks for stopping by.

My friend, Jess, is having a baby, her first baby, a sweet girl named Claire that we’re all eager to meet. None of us more than Jess as she is nearing the last month of pregnancy. (Jess, I’m talking about you like you’re not here.) These decorating ideas for children’s rooms are inspired entirely by Claire. Jess broke all the rules and decided to ditch the pink theme. She’s got a mind of her own. Please look at Claire’s sweet little nest.

Here are a few more rooms—just in case you’re revamping your kiddo’s room.

Via my favorite design magazine from Australia Inside Out

I think if I met Amanda Peet I’d probably like her. I certainly like her style, even if she calls herself a born copier.

We’re all inspired by something, Amanda. Don’t be so hard on yourself. This room is a funny girl’s dream.

And since I’m posting pics from actors’ homes, I should feature Mark Ruffalo as he is a favorite, too.

Pictures from Mark + Amanda rooms via Domino Mag, which is no longer, which is a shame. Darn economy.

Glad you stopped by. Have a light-hearted, kid-like day.

To tell you what’s happening in Music City USA. This has nothing to do with homes, design, or paint color.

Apparently, the snow is more than we can handle. In case you are wondering, we’re all trying to get home from work. Some of us are having more success than others.

In the meanwhile Ray and John—a couple of guys from the office—have gone out to offer advice. Ray Sadler + John Cade. I wish we worked in the same building. I could get involved in some serious office pranks… 10th Avenue is standing in our way. You almost make me want to be on the Lifeway.com team.  Almost.